Watch Iran: The Forgotten Glory

Iran: The Forgotten Glory is a documentary film released in 2009. The film aims to showcase the often-overlooked and misunderstood history and culture of Iran. The film is presented by Touraj Daryaee, an Iranian-American scholar, and Mustafa Nadim, a filmmaker who showcases Iran in its most epic and historical context. The documentary begins with a short introduction to the geography and diversity of Iran. The film provides insight into the history of Iran that spans over thousands of years, starting from the earliest recorded civilizations in the Mesopotamian age up until the Islamic era. It then delves deeper into the Persian Empire and explains how it began to dominate the Middle East and Central Asia.

The film shows the Iranian civilization's contributions to the art, literature, and sciences in that era. The Persian Empire was known for its architectural marvels, such as the Persepolis monument and the famous Cyrus Cylinder that laid the foundation for human rights. The film showcases how Cyrus the Great extended his empire and set the standards for other empires that emerged in later centuries.

The second part of the documentary focuses on the Islamic era, which brought a new wave of expansion and cultural changes. The documentary traces Iran's Islamic history, from the arrival of Islam to the emergence of the Safavid empire, which transformed Shi'a Islam into its current shape.

The film shows how cultures and traditions merged to create a new Persian-Islamic identity. The art and literature of this era were influenced heavily by religion, especially poetry, which became an integral part of Iranian culture. Iran became a significant destination for Muslim scholars all over the world, which resulted in a cultural exchange of ideas.

The documentary then moves on to the Qajar era, which was marked by reform and modernization. It was a period of great flux which brought huge changes in Iran's political, social and economic makeup. The film presents this era as a time of great transition when some of the most significant events took place that have influenced Iran's present-day society.

The documentary then shifts its focus once again and highlights Iran's relationships with the outside world. It shows how Iran has been involved in numerous conquests and resistance movements, including that of the famous Imam Khomeini. The documentary elaborates on the role Iran played in the Islamic revolution and how Iran achieved significant success in becoming an independent republic state after centuries of being ruled by a family of monarchs.

The documentary also showcases Iran's current struggles, both internal and external ones, to preserve its rich cultural heritage and establish a more democratic regime. The film discusses the implications of Iran's position in the global community and the challenges experienced by people facing economic sanctions, political repression, and human rights abuses.

The documentary concludes on this note, reflecting on the diverse and vibrant culture and heritage of Iran, and how it has contributed to the world in numerous ways. The filmmakers aim to convey the message that Iran's history and culture is ancient, and it's something that people worldwide should not overlook.

In summary, Iran: The Forgotten Glory is an insightful and comprehensive look into the complicated history, rich culture, and diverse heritage of Iran. The film not only presents the historical context of Iran but also explores its present-day society and the challenges it faces. It is indeed an excellent documentary for anyone seeking an understanding of the complexities that define Iran.